Film washing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for washing film comprising a round tank and a water pipe leading to holes in the base of the tank. The water pipe includes a portion with an opening constructed to draw in air to mix with the water, so that an air-water mixture enters the tank. The holes in the tank are near its perimeter and may be directed tangentially so that the air-water mixture swirls. The water pipe is adapted for connection to a water faucet through a thermometer-holding fixture, from which the thermometer can be readily removed.

[22] Filed:

1541 FILM WASHING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Irving Pfefer, 6232 AtollAve., Van Nuys, Calif. 91401 May 12, 1969 [21] App]. No.: 823,679

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.720,757, April 12, 1968, Pat. NO. 3,581,568.

52 us. C1. 354/328, 354/299 51 Int. Cl. 603d 13/04. [581 Field of Search95/96, 97, 9s, 89 R; I 68/183 [56] I I References Cited 'UNITED STATESPATENTS 671,075 4/1901 White 95/97 920,171 5/1909 Parker 68/1831,197,533 9/1916 Norton 95/97 1,265,291 5/1918 Bergman 95/97 1,362,14612/1920 -San 95/97 1,526,179 2/1925 Parr et a1. 68/183 UX 1.670.673Williams 95/89 51 June 11, 1974 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. MatthewsAssistant Examiner-Alan Mathews Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lindenberg,Freilich & Wasserman [5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for washing filmcomprising a round tank and a water pipe leading to holes in the base ofthe tank. The water pipe includes a portion with an opening constructedto draw in air to mix with the water, so that an air-water mixtureenters the tank. The holes in the tank are near its perimeter and may bedirected tangentially so that the air-water mixture swirls. The waterpipe is adapted for connection to a water faucet through athermometer-holding fixture, from which the thermometer can be readilyremoved.

1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJUM 1 m4 sum inr z I N VEN TOR.

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oaSAss s PATENTEDJuu 1 1 I974 SHEEI20F2 IN VENTOR.

FILM WASHING APPARATUS This invention is a continuation in-part ofpatent application Ser. No. 720,757 filed Apr. 12, 1968, now

U.S. Pat. No; 3,581,568, by Irving Pfefer.

BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to fluid control apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art The developing of photographic filmgenerally involves steps in which the film must be thoroughly washed toremove the previous chemical processing solutions. The water in contactwith the film must be agitated in order to obtain efficient washingaction. Such washing action can be obtained by holding the film under arunning faucet, or by holding the film in a tank filled with water andrapidly agitating the water. Both of these methods are inconvenient toapply.

- One method for facilitating washing is by the use of a tank with awater pipe connected to provide a continuous flow that stirs up thewater already in the tank. In order to obtain substantial agitationusing water pres,- sure availablefrom ordinary household faucets, anappreciable flow of water must be maintained. However, after the tank ispartially filled, the flow tends to be laminar instead of turbulent, andonly a small degree of agitation is obtained.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An important object of theinvention is to provide apparatus which creates an agitated washingstream.

Another object is to provide apparatus for the improved washing ofphotographicfilm.

Yet another object is to provide a fixture for facilitating the use of astem thermometer.

In accordance with'the present invention, film washing apparatus. isprovided which includes a tank with at least one hole in its base, and aconduit leading to the hole. The conduit has-one end connected to awater source and a portion constructed to draw in air that mixes withthe water. A substantial amount of airis drawn in with even a small flowof water. The air bubbles emanating from the hole in the tank rise andcreate turbulence which agitates the water and provides good washingaction.

' in the conduit, a vacuum is created bythe velocity head of the flow,causing air to be drawn in to mix with the water. The flow of water fordrawing in air and creating a washing actionin the tankv is obtainedfrom an ordi- 'nary water faucet.

A fixture is provided between the faucet and conduit, to enableathermometer to be held in the water stream for measuring the watertemperature. The fixture has a thermometer-holding boss which enables astem-type thermometer to be held in the flow. The aperture in the bossis directed perpendicular or downstream to the flow of water through thefitting. The thermometer can be readily removed from the fitting for usein many other applications requiring a thermometer in a film developinglaboratory. Even though the thermometer removal leaves a hole in thefitting, the water faucet can still be used when the conduit leading tothe washing tank is detached, without leakage of water through thethermometer-receiving hole.

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. The invention will be best understood from thefollowing description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.-

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS fixture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a washing tank apparatus constructed inaccordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan 'view of a washing tank apparatus constructed inaccordance with a third embodiment of the invention; I

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a washing tank apparatus constructed inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the washing tank apparatus of FIG. 7; and

7 FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates film washingapparatus comprising a cylindrical washing tank 10 into which film to bewashed is placed. The side walls of the tank are supported on a base 12,which also serves as the bottom of the tank. The base has two agitationholes 14 and 16 through which an air and water mixture emanates forfilling up the tank with water and for agitating the water already inthe tank. The agitation holes 14 and 16 are connected to the passagewaysl8 and 20 formed in the base. The ends of the passageways opposite theagitation holes are coupled to hose sections 22 and 24 through couplings26 and 28. The middle sections of the passageways 18 and 20 are coupledto snorkel tubes 30 and 32 through holes in the base.

The hose sections 22 and 24 are connected by a T coupling 34to a hose 36that leads to a water faucet 38.

- A fitting 40 in series with the faucet and hose 36 enables a stemthermometer 42 to, be held in the pipeline to measurethe temperature ofthe water flowing to the tank. When the faucet is turned on, a stream ofwater passes through the fitting 40 and hose 36 to the two passagewaysl8 and 20. The water moves past openings in the passageways where theyconnect to the snorkel tubes 30 and 32. Air is drawn into thepassageways through the snorkel tubes so that an air-water mixtureenters the tank through the agitation holes 14 and 16. Air bubbles risethrough water already in the tank to passageway 20. The space 47 servesasan air passage to carry air into the passageway. A snorkel hole 48 isformed through the base to the passageway at the space 47 where theconstriction tube 46 extends. The snorkel hole 48 opens to the bottom ofthe snorkel tube 32. Air passing through the snorkel hole mixes withwater downstream of the constriction tube, so that an airwater mixtureis discharged from the agitation holes 14 and 16. f

The agitation hole 16 is formed at an angle A with a normal tothe bottomsurfaceof the tank, so that the hole is directed with a substantialhorizontal component. The hole is also directed substantially tangentialto the perimeter of the tank. As a result, fluid emanating" from thehole has a tendency to swirl about the tank. The orientation at theangle A also prevents drops of water from shooting out-f the tank whenit is first being filled.

When the water under a-moderate pressure, such as that supplied by'anordinary household faucet, flows through the coupling 28 and out of theend of the con- 'striction tube 46, its momentum tends to keep itflowing along the passageway towards the agitation hole 16. This flow ofwater creates a velocity head, which produces a partial pressure in anopening which is directed downstream. The space 47 opens in a downstreamdirection towards the flow emanating from the constriction tube 46. Thevelocity head of the water stream draws air throughthe snorkel tube 32and through the snorkel hole intothe passageway where it mixes with thewater stream; The constriction caused by the constriction tube 46 mayalso create a lower pressure that helps to draw in air. As a result, thefluid emanating from the agitation hole 16 contains air bubbles.

The air bubbles emanating from the'agitation hole 16 swirl along withthe water in the tank and also rise towards the surface of the water.These bubbles provide a turbulence which greatly facilitates the washingthe top of the tank into the sink. The sink may then have a layer ofwater in it, and the snorkel tubes 30 and 32 prevent such water fromblocking the flow of air into the passageways l8 and 20. Where the tankis used for only a short time so it does not completely fill, the

snorkel tubes prevent the drainage of water back' through holes 48 whenthe faucet is turned off. This allows the tank to be placed on a tableor the like where it is convenient to drain away water. i

When photographic films are being washed, it is generally necessary tomaintain the washing temperature within certain limits. If the film isleft too long in hot water, the film base may become soft, and the filmmay be damaged. On the other hand, if the water is too cold, thedeveloping solutions will not be dissolved away. Generally a temperatureon the order of 20 C is desired.

In order to maintain a close control on temperature, the fitting 40 isprovided which enables the stern thermometer 42 to be held in-the waterstream which is applied to the washing tank. The-stem thermometer 42 isused in many applications in film processing, butcsmall filmlaboratories often have only one or two of them because accuratethermometers are costly. In accordance with the present invention, thefittingis provided which facilitates the removal of the stem thermometer42 after washing is completed,;to enable the thermoeter to be used inother applications.

' As shown in FIG. 4, the fitting 40 comprises a body 60 having fourhollows ends 62, 64, 66 and 68 which are connected to each other withinthe body. The end 62 carries an adapter 70 for connection to a faucetwhile theopposite end 64 carries a nipple 72 for conthermometer, butmerely provides a receiving area for The thermometer assembly 74comprises a sleeve 82 of thermally insulative material such as a plasticwhich is tightly fitted over the stem 84 of the thermometer. A

compression fitting 83 is fastened around the sleeve. An adapter whichis threadably engaged with the end 66 of the fitting, receives thecompression fitting 83. A holding nut holds the compression fitting inplace on the coupling 80, and prevents the leakage of water around thecompression fitting. Tapered pipe threads are employed on coupling 80 toprovide a water-tight seal between it and the end 66 of the fitting.

In order to install the thermometer assembly 74, the stem 84 is insertedthrough the coupling 80 at the fitting end 6 6. The nut 85 is turneduntil it holds the compression fitting in place. The thermometer is leftin place during the washing process to enable adjustment of the hotwater and cold water controls on a typical water faucet to achieve thedesired washing temperature. When the washing process is over, thethermome- 40. This can be accomplished by removing the hose 36 v whichis coupled to the nipple 72 at the end of the fitting. When the, faucetis then turned on, water does not leak through the opening in the end 66of the fitting body, so long as a narrow constriction is not coupled towith respect to water flow past the end 66 where it connects to the flowbetween ends 62 and 64 of the fitting. This results in the thermometerfacing at a slightly upward tilt,so that it is easier to read, and alsoresults in the hole in the end 66 being directed somewhat downstream.The downstream direction helps to prevent the flow of water out of theend 66 when the thermometer assembly is removed.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention which employs atank wall 90 mounted on a base 92 which has only one passageway 94therein. A separate coupling 96 is mounted on the base, which includes aconstriction tube 98'that provides a space which opens downstream intothe passageway. When water enters the coupling through a hose 100, whichis connected to a water faucet or other source of water under pressure,a partial pressure is established about the constriction tube 98. Asnorkel hole 102, formed in the coupling, connects the space about theconstriction tube to the ambient atmosphere, to admit air into thecoupling that mixes with the water emanating from the tube 98.

The passageway 94 which receives an air-water mixture terminates in twoagitation holes 106 and 108. Both holes are located near the perimeterof the tank, and both are formed so as to direct the air-water mixtureto circulate about the tank in a generally counterclockwise direction,(as seen from the plan view of FIG. 5). The agitation hole 106 iscoupled to the passageway 94 along its length, while the other agitationhole 108 is coupled to the end 110 of a passageway opposite the inlet112 which receives the air and water. It is found that the hole 108 mustbe made smaller than the hole 106 in order to equalize the flow of waterand air from them. This is due to the momentum of the water which tendsto carry it past the hole 106, at the point where the hole 106 meets thepassageway substantially perpendicularly. The water tends to flow towardthe outer end 110 and to leave through the agitation hole 108. By makingthe hole 108 smaller, less of the water-air mixture flows out of it, andthe flow out of the two holes is equalized. A more equal flow tends toprovide approximately the same washing action at all areas of the tankinstead of making it considerably more turbulent at one side than theother. I

FIG. 6 illustrates still another embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, the holes 116 for admitting air in the space between apassageway 118 and constriction tube 120, lead to the sides of the base122. In using the tank 124, the base should be placed where there isgood drainage, so water will not block the holes 116 which admit air.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention, whichemploys a base 120 with a pair of depressions 122, 124. A pair ofpassageways I26, 128 that carry water and air open into the depressions,to direct the air-water fluid in a substantially horizontal directioninto the depressions. The reason for employing the depressions 122, 124is to produce an agitation action at regions close to the bottom of'thetank. In the embodiments described above, the air-water stream generallydoes not spread out until it has risen a couple the passageways 126, 128can easily lead into and direct the fluid into the tank in an almosthorizontal direction. This allows the air bubbles to spread laterallythroughout the tank at even a small distance above the upper surface 132of the base.

As also shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the depressions 122, 124 are circularand at least several times as large in cross-section as the passageways126, 128. The passageways extend in a substantially horizontaldirection, and end in apertures 134, 136 at the periphery of thedepressions so that fluid emanating from the passageways swirls aroundthe depressions. The side walls of the tank are formed by a cylinderthat is positioned about a circular land 138 formed in the upper surfaceof the base. The land 138 has an outer diameter which enables a largercylinder to be positioned thereon, and

an inner diameter for receiving a smaller size tank to position itthereon. This allows the base 120 to be used with two different standardsize tank side walls.

The base is designed for easy manufacture by injection moldingprocesses. It has a slot 140 at one end which is adapted to receive acover member 142. The cover member 142 has a threaded aperture 144 whichreceives a hose coupling 146. When the cover member is in place, thethreaded hole 144 faces a dividing recess 148 in the base, where wateremanating from the hole 144 is divided to direct it in equal amounts tothe two passageways 126, 128. A pair of separate constriction tubemembers 150, 152, are positioned at the outer end of the passageways,the constriction tubes having narrowed portions extending past airpassage apertures 154, 156 in the base through which air is received, inthe manner described in the case of the above embodiments of theinvention. This embodiment of the invention can be mass-produced at lostcost. In addition to providing turbulent washing action in the upperportions of the tank, it assures washing action near the bottom of thetank where film may be resting, by slowing the air-water stream enteringthe tank before it has risen into the tank, and by allowing it to enterin a horizontal direction. In addition, apparatus constructed in themanner shown in FIGS. 79 has been found to provide a very highturbulence, even higher than the levels experienced with the apparatusof the embodiments described earlier herein.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variationsmay readily occur to those skilled in the art, and consequently, it isintended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications andequivalents.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic film washing apparatus comprising:

a tank for holding photographic film, said tank having a base surfacefor generally supporting items to be washed, and a depression in saidbase surface;

said water out of said outlet into said tank.

1. Photographic film washing apparatus comprising: a tank for holdingphotographic film, said tank having a base surface for generallysupporting items to be washed, and a depression in said base surface; aconduit having an outlet positioned near the bottom of said tank and aninlet for connection to a liquid source, said conduit opening into saiddepression with an orientation to direct a water-air stream against thewalls of said depression to slow the stream prior to it rising into therest of the tank; and means coupled to said conduit between said inletand outlet for flowing air into said conduit to pass with said water outof said outlet into said tank.